16th June 1824: Reformers meet in London to establish what becomes the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals

**Scott Allsop** (0:00)
On 16 June 1824, a group of reformers met in London to establish what became the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, or the RSPCA. Welcome to HistoryPod.
The early 19th century had seen industrialisation and urban growth increase the visibility of working animals in cities, while blood sports such as bull-baiting and cock-fighting remained common forms of entertainment. Concerns about cruelty towards animals were increasingly discussed among religious reformers, politicians and sections of the middle classes, who linked humane treatment of animals with broader ideas of public morality and social improvement.
Richard Martin, a member of parliament, had previously helped secure the passage of the Cruel Treatment of Cattle Act in 1822, that was one of the first pieces of British legislation aimed at protecting animals. The law was supported by various social reformers, including clergymen, lawyers and philanthropists, who, with the encouragement of the Reverend Arthur Broom, subsequently sought to establish a new society to encourage enforcement of anti-cruelty laws and promote changes in public behaviour. A meeting on 16 June in Old Slaughter's Coffee House formalised the organisation's structure and objectives. Known as the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, early activities included bringing prosecutions against individuals accused of mistreating animals, distributing pamphlets and encouraging more humane standards in markets, transport and agriculture. The Society received royal patronage from Queen Victoria in 1840, after which it became known as the RSPCA. This extended its significance beyond Britain, reflecting changing attitudes towards the relationship between humans and animals.